Save Article

Airline Industry Debates Need
For Uniformity on Pilot Rules

By

Scott McCartney Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated March 14, 2000 12:01 a.m. ET

DALLAS -- The Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 is less than 100 feet off the ground and visibility is very low when Capt. Earl Tomlin spots the runway lights below. "Landing!" he barks at First Officer John Bliss.

First Officer Bliss, focused on the instruments in the cockpit, responds: "Your airplane." With that, he relinquishes control of the yoke and throttle, and Capt. Tomlin lands the airplane.